New Poll Shows Anxiety Is On The Rise

As Gomer Pyle used to say - “Surprise, surprise, surprise!” - Well okay, so this really isn’t much of a surprise. The economy continues to slide down and Wall Street continues the trend of record downfalls. The government is tossing money around like candy and now they’re talking about giving automakers bailout money. Maybe they should look at the fact that unions have a strangle hold on automakers with workers making sometimes $30 plus an hour! (But alas, that’s a topic for an entirely different blog post.)

As a result of what’s going on in the nation, everyone is worried.

With all that’s going on in the nation today, there’s a couple things I want to look at today;

• Polls Show Anxiety Rising
• ‘Tis The Season To Cut Back on Spending

Anxiety On The Rise

It could be time for the country to take a chill pill. Or, if we could find a Doctor willing to write a prescription for it, maybe the nation needs to take one great big Valium. A new poll from Associated Press-Yahoo! reveals that Americans are feeling a lot of anxiety about the way things are going in the United States. According to the poll, in September 28 percent of respondents believed the country was heading in the right direction. However, as we find ourselves in November, that number has shrunk to just 15 percent!

The higher anxiety level is also having a big effect on the personal happiness factor. In September 70 percent reported being personally happy. But, during the past few weeks, just 59 percent of Americans made the same claim. As it stands now, 70 percent are concerned about their stocks and retirement plans. Half are worried about making their mortgage and credit card payments and one out of three Americans think their job is in jeopardy.

Just in case that’s not enough to raise anxiety levels, health car woes are also on people’s minds. Two-thirds of those polled say they’re anxious about how they will afford major medical bills. Close to eight out of ten unmarried women also have the same worry.

‘Tis The Season To Cut Back On Spending

With the anxiety levels rising and people worried about money, it only makes sense many are cutting back on spending. Of course with the holiday shopping season rapidly approaching, many retailers are concerned what their numbers will look like. While most people have not started their holiday shopping yet, a new survey finds when they do start, they will be spending less this year.

According to a survey conducted by Consumer Reports, 76 percent of Americans plan to cut back in spending on such holiday expenses as gifts, entertaining, decorations, charitable giving, cards and tipping.

Additional stats from the Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll find;

• Where are the gift spending cuts going to be? 84% say they will cut back on buying for themselves.
• 40% will cut back on gifts for friends and families.
• 29% will reduce holiday spending on co-workers.
• Families and co-workers might be getting less, but just 23% plan to cut back on gifts for their pets.
• 59% plan to make a budget before hitting the stores this year. But, of the 39% who made a budget last year, only 45% stayed within it.
• The number-one gift consumers plan to buy for the 2008 Christmas Season is clothing, at 69%. Wow! That’s a lot of socks!

Last, but certainly not least, 31% of respondents admitted to re-gifting a present last year. That’s up from 25% in 2006. Women admitted to re-gifting more than men. (38 to 24 percent.)

So, just what should we do to handle the anxiety level created as a result of the over-all economy?

.t’s too easy to say “take a chill pill.” But, one thing that will not help the situation is to over-react. Many people are over-reacting to the current situation. Some have turned into news junkies, and that’s simply not a good thing to do. If you’re listening to all the doom and gloom news reports, step away from the news reports. Now I’m not saying we need to become hermits and ignore everything that’s going on. But, from time to time, it’s good to unplug. Information overload is rampant, and right now it’s only adding to individual anxiety level.

As for Christmas, maybe it’s time to realize what Christmas is supposed to be all about in the first place. It’s not about gifts. It’s about being together with family and friends. We’ve lost touch with the importance of just getting together with family and friends during the Christmas season.

Step back, take a deep breathe, and re-order your life priority list. Maybe you’ll discover your personal anxiety level lessening some.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus